The Banská Bystrica region, with its area of 9 455 km2 and population of approximately 660 000 inhabitants,
is located directly "in the heart of Europe" as one of the largest Slovak regions. Its excellent position in
the central Europe predetermines it to be a gate from the West to the East and vice versa. In recent years,
the economic development in Banská Bystrica region has been characterised by a gradual strengthening of the
service sector, which currently employs 60 % of the labour force. Small and medium-sized enterprises with less
than 20 employees provide jobs for two-thirds of the total labour force.
Currently, the most active economic sectors in the region are engineering, wood - processing industry, ICT,
metallic and foundry industry, chemical and pharmaceutical industry, non-metallic materials, glass and ceramic
industry, food industry and tourism. In terms of industrial production, the region of Banská Bystrica can be
divided into the more industrialised northern part, and the agriculturally focused southern part. The importance
of tourism is increasing. One of the region's priorities for the future will be to intensively support foreign
direct investments, particularly those in existing production companies as well as providing back up for research
and innovation.
Several universities, research institutes and innovation support organisations are located in the Banská Bystrica
region and its surrounding areas, such as the Technical University, University of Matej Bel, the Forest Research
Institute, the Communication Research Institute, the R&D Institute for Machines and Mechanisms, Business and
Innovation Centre, Incubator for Start-ups, Regional Innovation and Development Agencies and Chamber of Commerce.
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Over the last years the role of clusters has gained international significance by developing and sustaining high
performance economies. Firms are increasingly looking to new ways to maintain their comparative advantage and in
order to remain economically viable, they need to spread their horizons, taking advantage of locally-based
economies of scale by working collectively and by utilising institutional support networks more effectively.
Clustering is the result of companies, which actively achieve this goal. Our aim is to create and develop
self-directing and mutually supporting clusters of businesses and other partners, which will bring wider
economic benefits for the Banská Bystrica region, especially within the following sectors:
Wood processing
Engineering
ICT
Foundry industry
Automotive industry
Chemical and pharmaceutical industry
Non-metallic materials, glass and ceramic industry
Partner organization: Banská Bystrica Self-governing Region
Contact person: Veronika Jaceková
Address: Námestie SNP 23
ZIP Code: 974 01
City: Banská Bystrica
Country: Slovakia
Tel: 00421 48 4722 124
Email: veronika.jacekova@vucbb.sk
Website: www.vucbb.sk
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